Travel, Tourism, and Camping Adventures in Fathom Five National Marine Park and Tobermory, Ontario

A guide to shipwrecks, Flowerpot Island, lighthouses, and eco-conscious travel near Tobermory, Canada

​Adventures in Tobermory, Ontario – After a magical Manitoulin Island family camping experience, it was decided not to head home to Kingston but to extend our vacation by exploring the Bruce Peninsula in Ontario. This choice led us on a week-long camping adventure in the heart of Ontario's wild beauty in Tobermory, Ontario.

On Manitoulin Island, we boarded the Chi-Cheemaun ferry in the village of South Baymouth. Loading our truck and camping trailer onto the ship and making the crossing was an adventure in itself. The 1.5-hour cruise across Lake Huron was smooth and scenic, offering breathtaking views of Georgian Bay and many islands. Tobermory, a charming harbour village at the tip of the Bruce Peninsula, welcomed us with crisp, fresh air and a genuine small-town vibe.

From there, it was a short drive to Lands End Park Campground, our home-base for the week. Charmingly, this family-run campground is known for its clean, natural setting, and eco-conscious amenities. Offering large sites nestled among towering cedars and maples, Lands End has been thoughtfully restored to preserve native vegetation. Appropriately, campers are encouraged to follow bear-safe practices, making this an ideal destination for responsible adventurers.​

Adventures in Tobermory, Ontario: Fathom Five National Marine Park and Flower Pot Island

​Our adventures in Tobermory began with a morning glass-bottom boat tour with Blue Heron Cruises, the perfect introduction to the region's aquatic treasures. The clear waters of Fathom Five National Marine Park are famous for shipwrecks, many of which are visible from the surface. This protected area is Canada's first national marine park and encompasses 22 shipwrecks, over 20 islands, and 1,131 square kilometres of lakebed and shoreline within Lake Huron, Ontario. For these reasons, Fathom Five National Marine Park receives over 400,000 visitors annually, making it one of Canada's most visited underwater parks and is a key part of exploring Bruce Peninsula, Ontario.

The glass-bottom boat took us to Flowerpot Island, named for its iconic sea stacks, natural "flowerpots" sculpted by wind and water, where we were able to get off the boat at Beachy Cove. From here we hiked the Lighthouse Trail past the cabin, taking in close-up views of both the small and large flowerpots. From here we hiked up to one of the large caves found on Flowerpot Island, this was my first time exploring a cave so much higher than sea level! 

Then, we continued on the Lighthouse Trail which took us to the Flowerpot Island Lightstation. Here visitors can tour the lightkeeper's museum, operated by the Friends of Bruce District National Parks. When volunteers from the Friends of Bruce District National Park are present, they operate a small drink and snack stand to raise money that goes toward the operation of the museum and lightstation grounds. TIP: Bring cash, there is no service for credit or debit transactions. After exploring the museum, we travelled to the Lightstation Observation deck where panoramic views took our breath away! 

With an hour to spare before our boat returned, we headed back to the rocky beaches near the Flowerpots where we could put our feet in, or take a quick dip, in the chilly waters of Georgian Bay to refresh. Something we learned while on Flowerpot Island is that it hosts six unserviced campsites, making it a rare and exclusive backcountry camping experience for Parks Canada adventurers exploring adventures in Tobermory, Ontario, Canada.

Back in Tobermory, we grabbed a delicious meal and craft beer flight at the Tobermory Brewing Company and Grill, a rustic yet modern spot perfect for post-hike refuelling and quality family time. Interestingly, this beer flight included five samples: Chi-Cheemaun Light Lager, Bruce Trail Blonde, Fireban Amber, Fathom Five Dark-Ale and Sweepstakes IPA (names after one of the most famous Fathom Five shipwrecks). Each more delicious than the last. We definitely left the Tobermory Brewing Company and Grill with cans of craft beer to go.

Exploring Tobermory, Ontario: Must-Do List

• Parks Canada Visitor Centre

​One of the most impressive indoor attractions in Tobermory is the Parks Canada Visitor Centre, built to celebrate the natural and cultural heritage of both Bruce Peninsula and Fathom Five National Parks. Opened in 2006, the Parks Canada Visitor Centre sees an estimated 100,000 visitors each year and is a great way to research all the adventures in Tobermory, Ontario, Canada.

Here, the centre includes interactive exhibits, a theatre, and features an outdoor 20-meter observation tower, Lookout Tower, which offers sweeping views of the islands and shoreline. The smoky horizon that day was a subtle reminder of the impact of Northern Ontario wildfires. Yet the view was still unforgettable, layers of green and blue stretching as far as the eye could see.

• Big Tub Lighthouse
  

While in Tobermory, we chanced a visit to the Big Tub Lighthouse. Built in 1885 to guide ships into the rocky entrance of Big Tub Harbour, this six-sided wooden lighthouse stands 14 meters tall and has been a beacon of maritime history for over a century. Its red roof and trim pop against the grey sky and turquoise water, making it a favourite for photographers and history buffs alike. Today, the lighthouse is powered by solar energy and maintained by the Canadian Coast Guard, symbolizing a shift toward more eco-conscious stewardship of our natural and historical landmarks. Interpretive signs along the short shoreline trail share stories of the area's shipping past, while encouraging respectful interaction with this fragile, protected environment. Whether you're stopping for a quick photo, soaking in the panoramic views, or simply enjoying the serenity of the Georgian Bay shoreline, Big Tub Lighthouse is a must-see stop for anyone undertaking adventures in Tobermory, Ontario.​

Family Fun at Lands End Park Campground

​In addition to hiking, touring and sightseeing while having adventures in Tobermory, Ontario, Canada and the Fathom Five National Marine Park, our time at Lands End Park Campground was anything but dull. The sandy beach and sheltered bay provided ideal conditions for paddleboarding and kayaking. Additionally, the clear waters let us spot fish, driftwood, and sunken stones below. We were lucky enough to see a blue heron amongst the marshes while out paddling, and the floating dock was a perfect launch pad for cannonballs and lazy sunset floats.

The campground is clean, quiet, and spacious, with sites that balance privacy and community. As well as convenient amenities like ice cream at the camp store, and a well-marked hiking trail featuring Bruce Peninsula rocky terrain and apparently the occasional Ontario rattlesnake. Our kids loved the pirate ship-themed playground and massive sandy beach volleyball court, while we all enjoyed metal detecting along the beach (with surprising success, but mostly nails!). Nature is front and centre at Lands End Park Campground, in the call of owls at night, the hum of bees during the day, and the sight of stars unfiltered by city lights.​

Why Tobermory Stole Our Hearts

Extending our vacation to explore Tobermory proved to be one of the best decisions of our summer. From the shipwrecks and sea stacks of Fathom Five National Marine Park to the historic charm of Big Tub Lighthouse and the family-friendly comforts of Lands End Park Campground, every experience highlighted the unique character of this region. What struck us most was the balance between adventure and relaxation — one day we were hiking trails and exploring caves, the next we were kayaking calm bays and sharing laughs around the campfire. Tobermory's mix of natural beauty, cultural history, and small-town hospitality made it the perfect destination for family camping. Whether you come for the rugged cliffs, the crystal waters, or the star-filled skies, the adventures in Tobermory offer memories that linger long after the trip is over.

Travel, Tourism, and Camping in Tobermory and Fathom Five National Marine Park, Ontario, Canada​

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